Reporting Suspected Wildlife Crime

Hounds Off Our Wildlife!

Hunting most wild mammals with dogs is illegal.

We advise always reporting suspicious behaviour or suspected illegal hunting to the police using 101 (dial 999 if 101 is taking too long, or the suspected crime is in progress). Make sure your called is officially logged and you are given an Incident Number. Note this number and always refer to it in any future contact with anyone about your call. Other people to inform are the League Against Cruel Sports via this link or for immediacyon their wildlife crime hotline 01483 361 108 and the Hunt Saboteurs Association via this link, on social media or phone 0845 2501291. All info received is important and will be recorded for future reference or acted upon immediately.

If the suspected crime is happening now then phone the Police on 999. Dial 101 for all non-urgent intelligence. Ask that your call be officially logged and for an Incident Number.

Suspicious behaviour includes:

Dogs running uncontrolled across roads

Dogs baying at holes in the ground

Men armed with Terriers and spades

People in red or black jackets on horseback riding roughshod over the countryside

Foxes running across open fields in the daytime

Sounds of a hunting horn

Vehicles parked up on country lane with people apparently looking at something in the distance

Horse or hound trespass on private property.

If you see it, report it – your call is important.

Ask the police to officially log your call and give you an Incident Number for future reference.

The Hunt Saboteurs Association may be able to respond directly to information about illegal hunting which is happening now or in the future. Tip them the wink via this link, on social media or phone 0845 2501291.

If you witness ‘hunt havoc’ – hounds invading private property, damaging crops, stampeding and killing livestock, running through gardens, killing pet cats and dogs, and causing accidents on roads and railway lines etc – and prefer not to contact the Police Wildlife Crimeline then you can also telephone the League Against Cruel Sports on 01483 361 108 or email them on info@league.org.uk (please include full name and contact details).

Thank you so much for the wonderful support and advice you provide through Hounds Off. We repeatedly suffer from the arrogant and bullying behaviour of our local hunt in Kent called the Ashford Valley Hunt. We plan to use all available methods to put an end to this harassment. JC, Kent

We warned off our local hunt simultaneously with family and friends. They have steered clear since then.JH, Dorset

When the hunters killed a fox behind our gardens I contacted Hounds Off and they helped us to stop this happening here again. CR, Kent

With Hounds Off I’ve protected my animals from further attacks by hunting dogs.RS, Worcestershire

Hounds Off is a free online resource designed to help homeowners, landowners and tenants to protect their properties, livestock and pets from hunt trespass. Hounds Off supports the Hunting Act 2004, which prohibits the hunting of wild mammals with dogs.

When the hunters killed a fox behind our gardens I contacted Hounds Off and they helped us to stop this happening here again. CR, Kent